Bruce Alder Billingsley

BRUCE ALDER BILLINGSLEY

Bruce Alder Billingsley, age 88, gently fell into the arms of Jesus at home in Wimberley, TX on July 31, 2019 while cared for by his beloved wife Claire M. Billingsley. Bruce and Claire were assisted by compassionate care-givers. Bruce was born in San Antonio, TX, the second child of Floyd and Margaret Billingsley. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Joan Billingsley Loper and Barbara Billingsley Nichols. Bruce is survived by two younger brothers, James E. Billingsley and Craig A. Billingsley. Bruce and Claire Billingsley have lived in Wimberley, TX for about 20 years. They have many friends and family nearby. In a book, “This Is Where We Belong, Wimberley”, the comment is made that, ”some people are the dessert, some the whipped cream, some the cherry on the delight of life. Bruce and Claire’s interests and talents combined all three”! Bruce’s talents were varied and beautiful and he shared with others: He was a talented pianist from the age of 5 who loved and played the music of Chopin, Shubert, Beethoven and many others and from his youth would play for family gatherings and at music venues in San Antonio, TX. He was an enthusiastic Director of the Wimberley Chorus and sang in the Chorus for many years; He loved literature and English poetry and frequently taught local classes in the work of Bryon, Keats and Shelly among others. Most of all, Bruce was a dedicated Christian and loved to read and teach the Bible from his youth to older age. His life verse was Galatians 2:20. He was a life-long Gideon since the age of 40 and taught the Bible in prison ministry. Bruce and Claire are members of Wimberley Presbyterian Church but have fellow Christians throughout the Christian community of Wimberley, TX. Bruce attended public schools in San Antonio, TX and graduated with a PhD. In British & American Literature from the University of Texas at Austin in 1962. He also received his MS degree in Psychology. Bruce taught English Literature for many years at San Antonio College in San Antonio, TX and retired there as a valued teacher and colleague. Bruce served stateside in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served as a Lieutenant at Ft Sill, OK. He also served while teaching at Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio, TX. Bruce leaves a loving family: Son, Scott H. Billingsley and wife Michele; and Son, James H. Billingsley and wife Mary Jo. Grandchildren: Morgan P. Brownlow and husband Joshua; Meredith B. Kelley and husband Patrick; James H. Billingsley II, Matthew T. Billingsley, and Mikayla G. Billingsley. Greatgrandchildren: Brooks Brownlow and Gwendolyn Brownlow. Bruce’s Alder, Billingsley, Jennings and Rogers’s cousins and kin are scattered from Virginia to Ohio to New Hampshire to Texas. Services for Bruce were held at the First Baptist Church, Wimberley, TX on August 5. 2019 assisted by Thomason Funeral Home in Wimberley, TX. Burial was in the family grounds at Coker Historic Cemetery in San Antonio, TX. Please sign the online guest registry at www.thomasonfuneralhome.com. (512) 847-2226.